Effect of oat bran consumption and brisk walking exercise on immune functions parameters in 40 to 50 years old hypercholesterolemic women

Moderate physical activity and adequate nutritional intake are believed can enhance immune function of an individual. We aimed to investigate the additional beneficial effects of combined oat bran consumption and brisk walking exercise compared to oat bran consumption alone on immune functions parameters in hypercholesterolemic women. Thirty three hypercholesterolemic women participants aged 40-50 years old were recruited and being assigned into three groups, with eleven participants per group (n=11): sedentary without oat bran consumption control (C), oat bran consumption alone (Ob), and combined oat bran consumption and brisk walking exercise (ObEx) groups. Participants in ObEx group performed brisk walking exercise sessions 30 minutes per session, 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks. Participants in Ob group and ObEx group consumed 18 gram of oat bran powder, 7 days per week for 6 weeks. Participants’ anthropometry and immune functions parameters which include full blood counts and immunophenotyping measurements were measured at pre- and post tests. Repeated measures ANOVA was performed for statistical analysis. There were significant (p<0.05) increases in eosinophil and neutrophil counts in post test compared to pre test in Ob group. There were also significant (p<0.05) decreases in values of T cytotoxic (CD8+ ) and natural killer cells (CD16+ ) in post-test compared to pre-test in ObEx groups. Six weeks of oat bran consumption alone may have potential to enhance immune functions in 40 to 50 years old hypercholesterolemic women. Nevertheless, future study with larger sample size needs to be carried out to confirm the present study findings.